Toggle solo mode on a specific layer in an After Effects composition to isolate it during preview or work.
Enable or disable solo on a layer
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| solo | Yes | true = solo on, false = solo off | |
| comp_name | Yes | Composition name | |
| layer_name | Yes | Layer name |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v1.0.0Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It states the intended state change but omits important After Effects behavior: enabling solo on one layer typically disables solo on all other layers. It also says nothing about failure modes or prerequisites.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single, front-loaded sentence with no filler or redundancy. Every word contributes to the core action, which is appropriate for a simple toggle tool.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The tool is low-complexity and the schema fully documents all three parameters, making the description minimally viable. However, it lacks behavioral side-effect context and usage differentiation, so it is not fully complete for an agent that lacks After Effects domain knowledge.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the parameters are already fully documented, including the meaning of the boolean 'solo' value. The description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond restating the action.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description states a specific action ('enable or disable solo') and a specific resource ('a layer'), which clearly conveys what the tool does. It is naturally distinguishable from siblings like ae_toggle_layer_visibility and ae_toggle_layer_lock because 'solo' is named directly.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus the many sibling toggle tools. It does not mention alternatives, exclusions, or the conditions under which solo should be toggled, leaving the agent to infer the use case from the name alone.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.